[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5992197,"mediaKeyId","5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875","parentId",5910921,"title","Smithfield committee approves updated dress code, adds ban on hats","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",1174000,"endMs",1484000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875&start=1174&end=1484","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5992197/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-committee-approves-updated-dress-code-adds-ban-on-hats","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5992197-b382008d3f9bf1f20fc9a7210a329b4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=cfuXYU419E7~kFySvNn2N9Yb7BQ~yySK6~iHIIgTm-CV3eT-mseyj62siARr~PvZ91xVwlTJjnOT2U5V9uHn~lseHldk3pAXuPuLzPUotGEKcBr~~8hTG7bc6QVNKG2h~iKQq4T5Cs2lrBJY3NSlGqSQSsUsEp4Ad8WZLCXaaE8wtPrZ9QlXvzjhLj9b1ZdLOopbfvdRVqRVfsFAiGU2mqW24ICoOT1p8INkcmNdWXe0Up-9DZXD4n6h48oBNCzW6AeaoQ87zor5encVmRxkuZuYR-FxbKJgQo0g0Zw7lawIoSe7HPew6ny9wl4q3QyhcoUQWblJnNWHNDiKx7-QJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Smithfield, RI","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","The School Committee approved the district’s revised dress code (policy JICA) at its second reading, adding a specific prohibition on hats for daily wear.

The dress‑code revision was developed by a committee that included parents, administrators, teachers and a school committee member. Committee members debated whether hat restrictions should differ between elementary and secondary levels and whether the prohibition should allow exceptions. The amendment approved by the committee explicitly bans hats as a daily item but retains exceptions for religious or medical reasons and allows spirit‑week or special‑event hat days.

Supporters of a district‑wide hat prohibition said a single standard would ease enforcement and address safety and security concerns; others argued secondary schools had not viewed hats as a major problem. The superintendent said the committee could add granular language on enforcement and consider school‑level discretion in the future.

On motion to approve the dress code as amended to prohibit hats, the committee voted yes; the motion was seconded and the ayes prevailed. The revised dress code will be incorporated into other student handbooks and posted in the district’s digital materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Smithfield School Committee August 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee adopted an updated district dress code (policy JICA) after committee review, adding a prohibition on hats while allowing exceptions for religious or medical reasons and for spirit‑week events.","taxTitle","Smithfield, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73323,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5992202,"Committee approves one‑year coordinator role to combine counseling support and CTE oversight",1962,6300000,8262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875&start=6300&end=8262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875/thumbnail_6300000.jpg","/articles/5992202/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-approves-oneyear-coordinator-role-to-combine-counseling-support-and-CTE-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5992202-1dcf74e0f267422d9f4275b5ff39c0fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=l5tc-AVL8I153xCp9mK3hofzH4y6BO6xJwGobRAjoArYJMl6ZSaFBjRLIm2eVFzCMFQZRJ8N1I1ZkjWbagN53PFf5An53ZfobxZ~RRSLXs-kqBX6yeANv9m28cIyinzkYJmNDO8SXdU5k~mr9Ok4zZEwv0a7AF2AWav9Bl93txo1FIL3Bd5WSYqL1RadxG6XCeiPjIfVDdkhH35WfNm8kl3E4myAlrfL1v4LY--e765pa65t2r521IHYUEk9U5X9yH18q6kXucFGC5Y6-Ez47ORlz5VfDa~y2UjBCmoZm0--Zf5jbu~ozRFwbI~u6V0wPkx-hkEoUYmTVOpyGLWKng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee voted to create a one‑year Coordinator of Counseling and Administrative Support position to provide additional administrative capacity at Smithfield High School and to absorb certain CTE responsibilities.

Superintendent presented a job description and rationale: the new position is a stipend appointment (a $12,000 stipend above the incumbent’s teacher contract), intended to be filled by a veteran faculty member moving into a temporary administrative role for one year. The administration described the change as a cost‑management measure: by repurposing the dean position and backfilling the faculty vacancy with a lower‑step teacher, the district estimates net savings (including benefits) in the tens of thousands of dollars.

During discussion the superintendent and finance staff outlined how the math interventionist and special‑education staffing needs compete for limited operating funds. The administration estimated a step‑one teacher salary at roughly $49,900 and said the coordinator stipend structure would allow the district to capture savings that could support one of the higher‑priority instructional hires this year.

NEA leadership indicated support for testing the one‑year position as a transitional measure. Committee members asked for measurable success criteria; the administration described expected responsibilities (counseling coordination, MTSS support, schedule facilitation and CTE oversight) and said it will present measurable goals and regular updates during the year.

On a motion to approve the coordinator template, the committee voted in favor. The motion passed; the administration will finalize the job description, post the position and return to the committee with implementation details and performance measures.","The committee approved a one‑year Coordinator of Counseling and Administrative Support position (a stipend role), intended to replace a dean position and produce near‑term savings to fund other instructional priorities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5992207,"Smithfield building committee narrows stage‑2 renovation options; bathrooms, CTE kitchen and elevators prioritized",0,5059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875&start=5059&end=5059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875/thumbnail_5059000.jpg","/articles/5992207/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-building-committee-narrows-stage2-renovation-options-bathrooms-CTE-kitchen-and-elevators-prioritized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5992207-779b6faa5f2ee747bcd59e1c982b9a88/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=WqRp2pKAOg1FCbt6DI2DG2Lj7CgiU3X1~KYHG8NdFBnyzZDlKD7kLDy614pfNGfAvLjhV4zoM-93tVaur4WwbTRR3~9HgORP2jnB3eHrSaV9hyijnDNtjZfIv1M0zxlTLemFiek9FsIbyjcnKvxzZF8uz8srY1R24vD8ZzJeLa8KO1Hj4I1YdKE~Fy088WzqV7gI-F3utp9HkUonNSCnuiEymBsHqriKUsNiPFkQ2jFZfns9AtxcGrIVHjEpbUeWKL29DdCSTrzMGhMbxctkhK9C~hI6jMu8Tcdm3jF5dfJOzFGdEyPn5iBFnJQrHG5vQW~FYaud5W7BwuQLlqWUow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SLAM Architects presented the school district’s stage‑2 schematic options and cost drivers for Smithfield High School and the middle school, highlighting a suite of prioritized renovations the building committee must pare to a $4.3 million five‑year capital target.

The presentation, led by SLAM and supported by Cash Grover from Carter’s project leadership, outlined priority work that includes replacement and ADA‑upgrades to multiple restroom suites, a full renovation of the high‑school CTE culinary labs (new hoods, ranges, refrigeration and mobile workstations), theater seating and audiovisual upgrades, and multiple elevator strategies (interior enlargement versus exterior additions). SLAM emphasized that individual bathroom “bays” were estimated at roughly $250,000 each based on the current scoping and that costs will escalate over the five‑year plan.

Several site‑specific technical issues were flagged: some second‑floor restrooms cannot be made ADA‑compliant without major structural work or an elevator solution; a tree‑damaged roof area has been recently replaced while the rest of the roof would require replacement to deck and new tapered insulation; and the current emergency generators are old or oversized with several options proposed (replace with right‑sized generator, retain temporary hookup for portable generators, or full replacement). SLAM will price two sprinkler‑routing approaches: exposed piping under ceilings (lower cost) and concealed piping above ceilings (higher cost and more expensive to retrofit).

The district presentation included a target capital plan of $4.3 million over five years; the administration noted an anticipated 35% reimbursement from “Bridal” as part of the financing model described during the meeting and said the reimbursement mechanism will be applied after project completion claims. The district also plans to use a combination of capital funds and possible future bond or operating support to meet cash‑flow requirements. Patrick (finance) provided a net cost breakdown that showed a projected net district cost of approximately $2.82 million after the cited reimbursement, with a total capital improvement cost of about $4.34 million in the presentation.

Committee members were told SLAM will provide independent line‑item estimates for each bathroom and elevator option so the school building committee can select a set of projects that fit the district’s cash‑flow and reimbursement schedule. Presenters asked the committee to provide prioritization guidance when cost estimates arrive; town council review and potential approval were discussed, with the administration seeking to give town council more time to review materials before a final vote.

The administration cautioned the committee that the full scope as shown would exceed available capital funds and that the committee should expect to make tradeoffs. Committee members asked for detailed cost estimates next week and for the administration to prepare a prioritized list showing which projects deliver the most instructional or safety value per dollar.

No formal vote was taken on specific construction items at the meeting; the building committee will meet again once SLAM furnishes detailed cost estimates so the committee can select a subset of work to fit the capital plan and reimbursement timing.","SLAM Architects presented a stage‑2 proposal for Smithfield school renovations that prioritizes bathroom renovations, a remodeled CTE culinary space, theater upgrades and options for elevator installation. Project scoping will be trimmed to match a target 5‑year budget of $4.3 million with a 35% reimbursement noted in the district presentation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5992212,"Smithfield revises high school handbook to tighten attendance, discipline and device rules",2979,1485000,4464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875&start=1485&end=4464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910921-5aac77c5740e2484d870ecd2af71a875/thumbnail_1485000.jpg","/articles/5992212/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-revises-high-school-handbook-to-tighten-attendance-discipline-and-device-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5992212-137212d66f6a9cae717b1b0bf7b59520/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=hxijaUlUAC909KV9xy1mLNhS2dRgjwohWLkR~bHOQnHJIkbrcVMYMPW-c1l39lp01vnebGj5-B9t4~mFp1494otC56OSKPRatl~EMOzEUp3ewjMRy8BfOX4CS0utp2BdYnWAsdVtmo8cuZp9xQv-0AzXU9SPMM~cQaiGvgjpdKOfiHmUM194M9hmZ-q~PAEf1bPAW4IPDPJH6RqdFGFzWacT1J62r1mJb9LW6jCsUaYpUu7g-lbvZEra3MFLh42eNCBhDHOOu73EWPGZrXkV5m-GffafdFTpZmnP2an6Zj1CsPdxped5VaqKI9mzCZMvsXmApZWnRknNLFAvQ2es6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee voted to approve a revised Smithfield High School student handbook after a multi‑week review by teachers and administrators.

Committee members were presented with revisions developed by a large committee of high‑school teachers and administrators, led in the meeting by Marissa Roderick and Christina Paisano, who reviewed changes to attendance, discipline, academic integrity and eligibility rules. The committee approved the handbook, with the vote recorded as “ayes have it.”

The revised handbook places stronger emphasis on attendance and chronic absenteeism, restores lunch detention and after‑school administrator‑run detentions, and removes Saturday detention. It also clarifies that unexcused tardies may be referred for detention and instructs administrators to use an infraction chart (to be developed) to guide consistent consequences. The committee discussed enforcement challenges and signaled that administrators will retain discretion in individual cases.

The handbook tightens academic‑integrity procedures, adds notification for school counselors when students are suspended, and directs that students removed from class for serious disruption should not immediately be returned without a follow‑up plan. Faculty members and administrators said past practice sometimes allowed disruptive students to return without consequences; the new language aims to reduce repeat disruptions and ensure students have supervised, instructive alternatives when removed from class.

High‑school changes also include revised eligibility rules for valedictorian and salutatorian: the handbook requires five consecutive semesters at Smithfield High School for eligibility and disqualifies students with academic‑integrity violations; the committee directed further review of that specific requirement before it is finalized for the program of studies.

The student‑device policy was updated to reflect a state law taking effect in 2026–27 that, according to the district presentation, will ban student use of cell phones in school buildings; the handbook language aligns district policy now and notes further revision will follow final state guidance. The handbook also formalizes the district’s expectation that district‑issued devices be used for education‑related activities.

Food‑drop policy changes allow parents or guardians to deliver restaurant food to the main office for students; committee members discussed whether third‑party deliveries such as ride‑hail food services should be allowed and concluded only parents/guardians should drop off food. The handbook also formalizes use of an electronic hall‑pass system, while allowing laminated paper passes for substitutes.

Committee members and teacher representatives acknowledged several enforcement and operational questions remain — for example, exactly how many tardies will trigger detention and how in‑school alternatives will be staffed when students are removed from class — and the administration said it will develop implementation protocols and an infraction chart to provide consistent application.

The committee approved the handbook on a motion to accept the student handbooks, with the motion made and seconded and the ayes prevailing. The administration will publish a digital copy incorporating the final wording discussed and will circulate it to staff and families ahead of the school year.

The committee asked the administration to bring back the specific valedictorian/salutatorian language for additional review before final publication and to provide the infraction chart and the counselor‑notification procedure for committee review.","The Smithfield School Committee approved a substantially revised Smithfield High School student handbook that raises attendance and discipline expectations, updates academic‑integrity procedures and aligns the district’s mobile‑device language with an upcoming state restriction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Smithfield committee approves updated dress code, adds ban on hats

Committee approves one‑year coordinator role to combine counseling support and CTE oversight

Smithfield building committee narrows stage‑2 renovation options; bathrooms, CTE kitchen and elevators prioritized

Smithfield revises high school handbook to tighten attendance, discipline and device rules